Richard Hammond has shared a deeply personal message on Instagram to mark two decades since the high-speed crash that nearly claimed his life.
The former Top Gear host, now 56, was seriously injured in September 2006 while piloting the jet-powered Vampire dragster at speeds of 320mph during filming for the BBC motoring programme.
The accident occurred at the disused RAF Elvington airfield outside York when a front tyre burst at more than 300mph, sending the vehicle careering out of control.
Mr Hammond’s post reflected on how close he came to death that day in a Yorkshire field, and paid tribute to those who ensured his survival.
Richard Hammond has marked 20 years since the high-speed crash that nearly claimed his life
|
PAIn his own account of the incident, Mr Hammond described how he “came to an abrupt stop upside down in a Yorkshire field, convinced I was about to die”.
After the tyre failure, he recalled pulling the parachute release lever and attempting to steer the dragster clear of catastrophe, but to no avail.
“Disaster was, it seemed, my fate and having done everything I could do avert it, I gave myself over to that fate,” he wrote.
Remarkably, the presenter said the experience “wasn’t frightening” and that he “didn’t scream,” explaining instead that “it simply occurred to me that the next thing on my to do list was to die.”
The presenter was airlifted to hospital following the crash at RAF Elvington
|
GETTY
Mr Hammond credited the emergency responders who extracted him from the wreckage, airlifted him to hospital and provided his medical care with saving his life.
He individually named members of the Air Ambulance team and aftercare staff in his post, declaring he would be “forever grateful” to each of them.
“I am only here today to note this anniversary and write these words because of the work of the many people involved in rescuing me from the shattered car, flying me to hospital and treating me there,” he said.
He concluded his tribute with the words: “Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Mr Hammond recalled believing he was about to die following the devastating accident
|
GETTY
Mr Hammond also reflected on the life he has been able to lead since the crash, describing himself as the father of “the two happiest, kindest, most wonderfully talented and loving daughters.”
He acknowledged numerous fortunate career opportunities and globe-spanning adventures, adding: “But I would have seen none of them if these people hadn’t turned up to work that day and done their job.”
Fans of the star flooded his comments section with encouraging messages.
One person wrote on Instagram: “Clarkson introducing you back after the incident was one of my all time favourite tv moments. We all love you, hamster.”
Another penned: “What a lovely message.”
“We love you, Hammond!” said a third fan.
Someone else added: “The man who raced death and won, the man who shook hands with death twice and lived, and the man who was so lost not even death could find him.”
Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May went on to front The Grand Tour together
|
GETTYMr Hammond’s daughter, Izzy, also marked the anniversary with a light-hearted message, writing on his page: “Chuffed you didn’t die Pa x.”
Following his departure from Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and James May in 2015, the trio reunited as presenters of The Grand Tour on Prime Video.
They fronted the Amazon show until 2024, when Francis Bourgeois, James Engelsman and Thomas Holland assumed presenting responsibilities for the new series.